Method of making universal joints



.Ia-n. 8, 1935. E, PADGETT 1,987,415-

IETHOD OIF-MAKING UNIVERSAL JOINTS originai Filed Nov. 23, 1931 2 sheets-.sheet 1 Zia/@WM A 7 Toe/v5 Ys Jan. 8, 1935.

J. E. PADGETT Y 1,987,415

METHOD OF MAKING UNIVERSAL JOIHTS Original Fled'Nov. 25, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fasP//E 5106.157(

,4free/Veys- Patented Jan. 8, 1935 PATENT OFFICE METHOD or MAKING UNIVERSAL -Jonvrs Joseph E. Psarou, Toledo, vohio riginal application November 23, 1931, Serial No.

Divided and this application November 23, 1932, Serial No. 643,958!

s claim. (ci. 295148) This invention relates generally to universal joints and, more particularly, to a novel method otimaking universal joints.

More specliically, the invention relates` to universal joints oi the type having a journal portion extending into the opening of a cooperating part, and aims to provide a novel method of making such universal joints whereby the journal carrjing member is accurately positioned' with respect to the axis of the bearing carrying member by subjecting the cooperating parts to a compressifve action such as to produce suiiicient permanent distortion in one of the parts to maintai the same in the desired relation.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No. 576,665, iiled November 23, 193i. I

`Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein v. Fig. l is an elevational view showing a universal joint constructed according to my invention;

-. Fig. 2 is a similar elevational view of the device, but showing the same partly in section;

. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantlally on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end elevational view oi one of the yoke members oi my universal joint;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view partly in section, showing another universal `joint constructed according to my invention;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section thereof taken 'substantially on line 6-6 oi Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a side elevational view partly in section, showing still another universal joint constructed according to my invention;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another form of thru'stelement; and

Fig. 10 is another fragmentary sectional view showing still another'form of thrust element.

For a more detailed description of my invention l reference will now be 'made to the accompanying .i1-swings, wherein I'fhav'e illustrated improved forms of universal joints produced by my novel method, and although the drawings illustrate spe ciflc forms of construction, it should be understood that my invention may be applied to thev production ofvarious other structural arrangements.

vof universal joints, of improved construction,

which may be produced by my method. As i1- lustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, my improved universal joint comprises, in general, a pair of yoke members 10 andll and a cross 12, operatively connecting the yoke members to gether. .As is Well known, the useful life oi a device oi this kind is largely dependent upon an adequate supply of lubricant being provided for the moving parts. Accordingly, as will be explained in detail hereinafter, I have provided novel means whereby the cooperating proving parts' are emciently lubricated, and their useful life materially prolonged beyond the period of usage heretofore attained by oilless bearing or by periodic manual lubrication.

'Ille yoke members l0 and l1 are, generally speaking, similar as to construction and arrangement, each being provided with a pair of'` arms 13 and 14, which are spaced apart and provided with axially aligned openings 15 extending therethrough. These yoke members may 'be provided with any suitable connecting means for cooperation with the shafts, or other parts with which the device is to be used. In this instance, the yoke 10 is Vshown as being provided with a circular flange 16 adapted to be attached to a part from which power is to be transmitted, and the yoke member l1 is shown as being provided with a sleeve 17, which is splined for cooperation with the splined end of a torsion transmitting shaft 18, such as the propeller shaft of a motor vehicle.`

The cross 12 may comprise a body portion 20, having any suitable shape .or form, such as the ring-shape shown in Fig. 3, and integral arms 21y extending radially outwardly from the body and terminating in journal portions 22, the latter being in the form of cylindrical pins. The arm portions of the cross are four in number, and are paired in diametrically opposed relation, as shown in Fig. 3-of the drawings. This member is so constructed and arranged, that when in assembled vthe laterally extending `lugs 23 disposed at the inner end of the journal portions. The' function of this abutment means will be explained herein'after.

My universal joint, as thus far described, does the bearing 25 and the sleeve portion 27 surroundA yso not differ materially from joints of this general type which have been available heretofore, but in accordance with my invention a novel arrangement is provided, wherein the journal portions of the cross are self-lubricating, and are enclosed within the arm portions of the yokes in such a manner vas to prevent the escape of lubricant and the entry oi.' foreign material. As is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the openings 15, provided in the arm portions of the yokes, are of over-size diameter as compared with-the diameter of the journal portions 22, extending thereinto. The openings 15 are made of oversize diameter principally for the purpose of facilitating the assembly of the cross in the yoke members, in accordance with the novel method of my invention hereinafter to be explained, and also to accommodate a bearing 25, and a closure member 26, the latter being preferably in the form of a cup-shaped cap. The bearing 25 is of tubular or bushing form, and while various materials or compositions may be used for this element, I prefer to employ a bearing which is of a sumciently porous character to absorb and hold a relatively large quantity of lubricant.

A suitable bearing of this kind may be formed by molding or extruding a mass composed of bronze, or other metal particles, mixed with graphite or the like. The bearing thus formed is charged with lubricant prior to assembly, and during the operation of the universal joint, this initial supply of lubricant is available for lubricating the surfaces of the journal portions. This bearing is mounted in the sleeve lportion 27 of the closure member 26, which is, in turn, mounted in the opening 15 of the yoke arm, so that both the journal portion 22 of the cross. With the member 26 disposed in the opening 15, in this manner, the transversely extending bottom wall 28, of this member, forms a closure for the opening of the yoke arm at a point outwardly of the outer end of the journal portion 22, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In a device of this kind it is important that the cross be accurately positioned with respect to the axes of rotation of the yoke members, so as to minimize unbalanced centrifugal forces, which tend to cause undesirable vibration. Accordingly, I have provided a thrust element, preferably in the form of the ball 29, in each of the yoke arms, for positioning the cross with respect to the axes of rotation of the yokes. As shownin Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, each thrust ball is disposed between the transverse wall 28, of one of the closure members 26, andthe outer end of the journal portion extending into that closure member. The closuremembers are positioned within the openings of the yoke arms in definite relation to the axis of the yoke, and are retained in this position by any suitable means, such as the expansible retaining rings 30, which are snapped into annular retaining grooves 31, provided adjacent the outer ends of the openings in the yoke arms.

It is desirable, in an arrangement of this kind, to have all of the parts of the device located as close as possible to the axis of rotation, and accordingly the outer ends of the journal portions are provided with counterbored recesses 32, in which the thrust balls 29 are disposed. In the arrangement thus far described, it will be seen that the bearings 25 will cooperate eiiiciently with the journal portions 22 extending therein, and at the same time the thrust balls 29 cooperate with the closure members 26 to accurately position the cross with respect to the axis of rotation of the device.

'I'he bearings 25 are capable of giving elcient service during ordinary usage by reason of their self-lubricating characteristic, but according to my invention the useful life of the device is materially prolonged by providing additional lubricating means. This additional lubricatingvmeans consists in the provision of a lubricant chamber 33 in each of the journal portions of the cross.

This lubricant chamber may be of any suitable shape or form, but is preferably simply an opening extending through the journal portion and closed at its endsby the bearing member 25. Before the cross and yoke members are assembled, this chamber is charged with a suitable lubricant, which, after assembly of the parts, is supplied to the cooperating surfaces of lthe journal portions and bearing members during the operation of the device. To provide for the delivery of some of the lubricant from the chamber-.33 to the thrust ball 29, I provide a passage 34, which connects the lubricant chamber with the counterbored recess 32, and which is normally closed by the thrust ball 29. It will be seen from the arrangement de- .-1

scribed, that the supply of lubricant contained in the journal portions provides for the efllcient lubrication of the thrust balls 29, and, in addition, supplements the lubricating material incorporated in the bearings 25, in providing adequate lubrication for the cooperating moving parts.

As explained above, the transverse wall of the member 26 constitutes a closure means for the opening of the yoke arm, which closure means is located outwardly of the outer end of the journal portion extending into the yoke arm. This closure means prevents the lubricant from being thrown outwardly of the device by centrifugal force, and also prevents entry of grit and otherY foreign matter which would damage the cooperating surfaces of the moving parts. To prevent the escape o! lubricant adjacent the inner end of the journal portions, and to prevent the entry of foreign material at this point, I provide sealing means which surroundsV the journal portions immediately adjacent the abutment lugs 23. While various forms of packing material or sealing devices. may be employed for this purpose, I prefer to employ a novel and eillcient form of sealing device which I have devised. This device comprises a cup-shaped metal shell 36 and a ring of cork or other yielding material 37, which is disposed in thev metal shell. As shown in the drawings, the metal shell 36 is preferably formed witht a transversely extending wall 38 which engages the abutment lugs 23, and through which the journal portion 22 snugly extends. 'Ihe wall portion 38 is provided around its outer edge with an angularly disposed retaining and protecting flange 39, which extends in the axial directionA of the journal portion 22 and surrounds the sealing ring 37. The ilangev39 is made suiiiciently long to extend beyond the sealing ring 37 and to telescope over the inner end .of the sleeve portion 27. If desired the inner end of this sleeve portion may be made of reduced diameter, as by-v that when the cross is assembled in the yoke members with the journal portions extending into the closure members 26, the packing rings of the sealing members will be pressed against the inner ends of the closure members and ofthe bearings ,25 by the abutment members 23 acting against the transverse walll 38 of the metal shell'. The ange 39 being extended into telescopic relation around the inner end of the sleeve portion 27, causes water or other foreign substance to be shed or deected away from the sealing ring 37. Thus the closure members 26, together with the sealing members 37, provide an enclosure for the journal portions 22 whereby the supply `of lubricant is conserved and retained within the device, and grit and other foreign material is excluded.

Inobtaining the accurate positioning of the cross with respect to the axes of the yoke members referred -to above, I employ a novel method.

for assembling these members. In accordance with my method, the aligned journal portions of the cross are first inserted into the aligned openings of the arms of the yoke members. 'I'his can ,be readily done since, as explained above, the openings: 15 :pare of over-size diameter as com- /pared with the diameter of the journal portions,

and by.;tilting the'cross the journal portions can be easily insertedinsuccession in their respective openings.` The insertion of thejournal portions into the over-size openings of the yoke members can be facilitated to some extent by notching out one or both of the arm portions of the yoke members, as indicated at 40 in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. After the journal portions of the cross have been inserted into the over-size openings of the yyoke members, the cup-shaped closure members 26. are pressed into the openings of the yoke members, with the thrust balls 29 interposed between the ends of the journal portions land the transverse walls 28. The bearing members 25 may be assembled around the journal yportions priorto the insertion of the closure members 26, but are preferabLv pressed into the closure members by a previousoperation, so that as the closure members are pressed into the openings of thel yoke members, the bearing members will telescope over the journal portions and will be accurately positioned upon the same. .During the operation of pressing the closure members 26 into the openings of the yoke members, the thrustballs 29 are subjected to compression, whereby these balls are slightly depressed into the metal of the transverse walls 28, substantially in the manner that the ball element is depressed into the surface of a test piece in making a Brinell hardness test. After the closure members 26 have been pressed into the arms of the yoke members a predetermineddistance to thereby slightly Brinell the thrust ball 29 into the metal of the wall 28, the pressure vis released. By virtue of the inherent resilience of the metal and the strains produced in the various parts which have been subjected to the` compressive force, the release of the pressure permits the parts to return, in part, to their nor mal state. The distortion of the wall 28,by the ball 29 is, in part, a permanent distortion which causes the parts to be retained in the desired assembled relation. 'I'he extent to ywhich the parts return to normal after the compressive force is released, usually, though notalways, results in a slight clearance being established between. the thrust Vhall and the transverse wall 28 and between the thrust 4ball and the end of the journal portion 22, which clearance permits efficient lubrication of lthese parts but prevents any material displacement of the cross with respect to the axis of rotation of the device.

openings of the yoke members, any suitable apparatus may be employed, butI prefer to use a fixture so designed that pressure can be simultaneously applied to the closure members'located at opposite'ends of a yoke member, and such that the exerted pressure will be equalized between the two closure members during the operation. After the closure members have been pressed into the openings of the yoke members, and while the compressive force is being maintained the retaining rings 30 are snapped into place to prevent displacement of the closure members.

In Figs. 5 to 8'of the drawings I have shown universal'joints of the ring type, which embody the novel construction of. my invention, and

which may be assembled according to my method. 'I'he joint illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 comprises yoke members 42 and 43 each having a pair of oppositely extending jouml portions 44 which project into bearing portions 45 of the ring 46.

The ring and bearing portions are formed as an integral part, the bearing portions being provided with oversize openings into which the journal portions are inserted atlassembly ofthe device. To facilitate the insertion of the journal portions into the oversize openings of the bearing port'ons, the latter may be suitably cut away -as indicated at 47. In this arrangement,

as in- Fig. 2 of the drawings, the journal portion is provided with a lubricant chamber 48, and is surrounded by a bearing member 49. Likewise, as in Fig. 2, I provide a closure cup 50, which is retained in the opening of a bearing portion of .the ring, as by means of the snap ring 5l, and asealing device 52, which cooperates with the inner end of the closure cup 50. A thrust element, preferably in the form of the ball 53, is disposed between the journal portion and the transverse wall oi' the closure cup. I

In Figs. 7 and8 I have shown a universal joint, which is in all respects identical with the joint illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, with the ex-v ception that the ring 54 is formed of complemental members 55 and 56 secured together as by means of bolts 57. In this arrangement the members 55 and 56 are formed with integral shoulder portions 58 which provide a retaining means for the closure cups 59 when the members are clamped together at assembly of the device.

I prefer to use a thrust element in the'form of a ball, as referred to above, butA if desired, various other Aforms of thrust elements may be employed. For example, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, a thrust element 61- of button-like form l button is disposed, and'with a lubricant chamber' 67 fcr replenshing the lubricant content of the1 bearing '65 and of the thrust button. The closure member 63 is assembled into lthe opening) of the yoke member 68 by being pressed'into the latter, substantially in the manner of my method described above. 'I'he pressure applied during the assembling operation is sufficient to cause the thrust button to be distorted somewhat by being compressed between` the closure member and the journal portion, but this pressure is preferably insufficient tocause permanent distortion of the transverse wall of the closure member. While the assembling pressure is being applied, a retaining member 69, preferably in the form of an imperi'orate diskor plate is xed in an annular groove '70, provided adjacent the outer end of the opening of the yoke member, by displacing a portion of the metal of this member, as by means of a suitable rolling or swaging operation, to form the annular locking shoulder '71. After the closure member 63 has been pressed into the yoke member for the desired distance, and the annular locking shoulder '71 has been formed for holding the retaining member 69 in' place, the assembling pressure is released. Because of the distortion produced in the thrust button, the parts are retained in the desired relation after the compressive force is released.

In Fig. 10 of the drawings, I have shown another arrangement wherein the thrust element is in the form of a button-like projection '75 integrally.- formed at the outer end of the journal portion '76. During the assembling operation, in accordance with the method of my invention, a closure member '77 is pressed into the opening of the yoke member '78, so as to surround the bearing member 79 which cooperates with the journal portion. During this assembling operation, pressure is applied to the closure member and to a retainingring 80, which engages the transverse wall 81 at the outer end of the closure member. This pressure causes the closure member to 'be moved into the opening of the yoke member the desired extent, and also causes the transverse wall 81 to engage the thrust button 75 and to be deflected by the latter into the opening of the ring 80, substantially as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. While this assembling pressure is being maintained, some of the metal of the'yoke' member is displaced, as by a suitable rolling or swaging operation, to provide the annular locking shoulder 82 which holds the retaining ring in place. The assembling pressure is then released, and by reason of the permanent distortion produced in the wall 81, the parts are retained in the desired assembled relation.

Although the closure members 28 and 50 of the universal joint shown in Figs. 1 and 5, are preferably retained in place by the snap lrings 30 and 51, these members may be retained in place, if desired, by means of a disk or ring, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, in which case the disk or ring, as explained above, is held against displacement by swaging an annular shoulder on the yoke portion during the assembling operation. And on the other hand, the closure members shown in Figs. 9 and 10 may, if desired, be retained in place by the use of snap rings, such as those shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

It will now be readily seen from the universal joint construction herein illustrated and described, that I have provided an improved device of this kind which is self-lubricating, and which is capable of efiicient service throughout a prolonged period of use. It will also be seen, that by the novel arrangement which I have provided, the supply of lubricant is conserved by being eiliciently sealed within the device, and the entry of destructive foreign matter is prevented.

In addition to an initial supply oi' lubricant contained in the bearings of the device, a replenishing supply of lubricant, provided in the chambers located in the journal portions, enables the device to render prolonged efllcient service without attention on the part of the machine operator. Furthermore, in my novel construction, and in the novel method of procedure which I have devised, the use of thrust elements at the ends of the journal portions increases the emciency of the device, and enables the cross or yoke members, as the case may be, to be accurately positioned with respect to the axis of rotation without the lneed for the extremely accurate and costly machining heretofore required in devices of this kind. Obviously this accurate positioning tends to minimize unbalanced centrifugal forces and consequent vibrations.

While I have illustrated and described the device and method of my invention in a detailed manner, it should be understood, however, that I do not intend to limit myself to the exact steps of procedure nor to the precise details of construction and arrangements of parts as herein disclosed, but regard my invention as including such changes and modifications as do not involve a departure from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

' 1. In a method of assembling universal joints, the steps of inserting the journal portions of a member into the aligned openings of a second member, inserting a bearing in each of said openings to surround the journal pprtion therein, and pressing a closure member into each of said openings and into engagement with a thrust element .associated with said journal portion with sumcient force to cause permanent distortion of said closure members whereby upon the release of said force the rst .mentioned member is retained in the desired relation by said thrust elements.

2. The method of making universal joints which comprises forming a member with aligned oversize openings therein, inserting the journal portions of a second member into said openings, arranging a bearing in each of said openings around the journal portion therein, and pressing a closure into each of said openings with a thrust element intermediate the closure and the journal portion and permanently distorting the closures by pressing them against the thrust elements whereby said second member is definitely positioned with respect to the axis of the other joint member.

3. The method of making universal joints which comprises forming .a joint member with substantially aligned openings therein, inserting the journal portions of a second joint member into said openings, positioning a bearing in each of said openings around the journal portion therein, pressing closure members into said aligned openings with substantially equalized pressures and thereby permanently distorting such closure members by pressing the same against thrust means associated with said journal portions.

4. The method of making universal joints which comprises forming a member withan opening therein, inserting the journal portion of a cooperating member into said opening, pressing a closure member into said opening with a thrust element intermediate the closure member and said journal portion whereby a compressive force is applied to said thrust element and said closure member is permanently distorted by the thrust element, displacing a portion ot the metal of the first mentioned member while the assembling pressure is being maintained to therebyretain 1,987,415 said closure member in said opening, and then releasing said pressure.

5. In a method of assembling universal joints, the steps of inserting the Journal portions of a member into the aligned openings of a second member, inserting a bearing cup in each of said openings to surround the journal portion therein with a thrust element associated with said Jo'urnal portion and engaging the bottom of the cup, and

pressing such bearing cups toward said journal portions to thereby cause the thrust elements to permanently distort the bottoms oi' the cups.

6. 'Ihe method of making universal Joints which comprises forming a member with an opening therein, inserting the journal portion of a cooperating member into said opening, positioning a thrust element in said opening in engagement ywith said journal portion, pressing a closure member into said opening to close the same outwardly of said journal portion andat the same time permanently distorting said closure member by pressing the same against said thrust. element, and releasing the compressive force to provide working clearance for said thrust element.

'1. The method of making universal joints which ,comprises forming a Joint member with substanjournal and the closure member adjacent thereto,

pressing said closure members inwardly in said openings andthereby indenting the thrust ballsk into the closure members whereby the second Ajoint member is accurately positioned with respect to the axis of rotation of the iirst mentioned joint member, and then releasing the compressive torce to provide working clearance for the thrust balls.

8. The method of substantially co-axially positioning joint members of the type having bearing openings and trunnion elements extending thereinto, which comprises forcing closure eiements into said openings and applying pressure to thrust elements associated with said trunnion Aelements and thereby permanently distorting certain of said elements such that upon release of said pressure said Joint members are retained in the desired substantially coaxial relation.

a JOSEPH E. PADGE'IT. 

